What is pyReCADE?

pyReCADE (pronounced "pie arcade") is a Python based MAME front-end designed
for use on an arcade cabinet using minimal controls (joystick and buttons).

What is it written in?

pyReCADE is written in Python and
utilizes the Pygame libraries. Pygame is
a graphics library built upon SDL.
Because of the wide variety of platforms that python and SDL will run on
pyReCADE in theory can be used under Windows, NT4, MacOS, OSX, BeOS, FreeBSD,
IRIX, and Linux. It is currently being developed under Linux, so I can't
speak to the accuracy of the previous statement, but in the longer term I hope
to actively support at least both Windows and Linux.

What features does it have?

Fully customizable interface

Alphabetic filtering

Category based filtering

Most popular games counter and Favorites category

Customizable key bindings

Can be used with joystick and buttons

Supports background images as well as gradients

Automatic scaling of themes to any resolution

Screensaver with slideshow or random game mode

Configurable drop shadows

Navigation Sounds

Intro movie support (mpg only)

Ability to hide particular categories (Adult, etc)

Per game override settings(emulator, flags, alternate rom)

Custom categories with filtering

Compatible with catver.ini

What features are planned?

Support for other emulators

Additional background effects

Background music

Text selection mode

Other things as I get bored.

Where can I get it?

Right now the only place you will be able to get it is via CVS from
Sourceforge. You can checkout the source anonymously with the commands:

If you are not using a UNIX variant or these instructions make no sense to you
check out the SourceForge
Site Documents.

When will you make an official release?

At the risk of sounding cliche "Real Soon Now". All of the features I planned
for the initial release have been pretty much finished. The remaining bits are
documentation and packaging issues more than anything else. Yeah I know I've
been saying this for years. Sorry I suck.

Can I see some screenshots?

A blatant rip off of ArcadeFX
that I used to test the new layout stuff

Hopefully those give you an idea of how the interface can be changed. I
haven't had much time to spend on the aesthetics of things just yet, but
expect a few prettier looking themes in the future.

Can I help?

Please do, I in now way claim to be a programmer. I'm just doing this for the
heck of it and to learn some new things. There are A LOT of things I'd like
to see done differently and I'm more than open to better ideas or patches so
please pass along your thoughts. Check out the SourceForge Project Page for
mailing lists, etc.

What is this page so lame?

Because I did it in about 15 minutes. You can find additional information on
the SourceForge
Project Page.